Using Finite Element method for Pile-Soil Interface (through PLAXIS and ANSYS)

Abstract

This study investigated the pile-soil interaction and its effect on the pile settlement and shear stress in the interaction zone. The impact of loading on the pile displacement was explored applying Mohr-Coulomb as well as Hard-soil behavior laws. First, the modeling proposed by the PLAXIS Bulletin (No. 16) was duplicated in which Hard-soil behavior law was taken into consideration. Next, the modeling took place through behavior law. The data were analyzed by PLAXIS. Finally, the results obtained from the two models were compared to each other. Moreover the dynamic analysis was performed to investigate the interface effect between soil and pile through ANSYS software. The results revealed that the variance of velocity at the head or the bottom of the pile does not make a significant difference in the interface coefficient. Finally, the natural frequencies and the mode shape were determined for the pile.   Key words: Pile-soil interaction, PLAXIS, Mohr-coulomb, hard-soil, ANSYS, Finite Element Analysis.